Voters to decide Chemung Library District’s budget

• Proposed budget of nearly $2.7 million represents a 1.5 percent increase of $40,630
• Equipment updated throughout district and new materials obtained for circulation under spending plan
• Vote on library district budget will be during the general election from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 4

The Chemung County Library District’s proposed budget for 2015 is up slightly to pay for equipment updates throughout the district and to obtain new materials for circulation.

The proposed $2,677,624 budget represents a 1.5 percent increase of $40,630, said Ronald Shaw, director of the library district that consists of the Steele, Horseheads, West Elmira, Big Flats and Van Etten branches and the bookmobile, considered the district’s mobile branch.

“The district has always been realistic when dealing with budget issues. This is why, for example, we have applied for various grants that are available,” Shaw said. “The renovation projects completed in the last three years have been funded 75 percent by New York State. Next year, when Steele gets a new elevator, that will also be funded by the state at 75 percent.”

The district is also fortunate to have support from other groups, he said.

“Our recent interior renovation project at Horseheads was paid for entirely through the generosity of the Horseheads Foundation, one of our strongest supporters,” Shaw said.

The tax impact of the proposed spending plan is comparable to pocket change, he said. In recent years, taxes from the library district budget increased about 60 cents on a home assessed at $50,000.

Because the state equalization rate has not been released yet, the tax impact of the proposed budget can’t be calculated, Shaw said.

“It’s just a tiny bit hard to predict because of the factors they use throughout the different municipalities,” he said. “We really don’t know what they are until after Chemung County sends us the state equalization rates. We have no clue until we get those. But it is minimal.”

Library district residents will vote on the proposed budget during the general election from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 4. The library budget will be on the back of the ballot listed as both Proposal No. 4 and as County Proposition No. 1.

“It is essential to spread the word about this vote. The public has realized the importance of the district’s role in supporting exceptional public library services and programs to our citizens,” Shaw said.

Follow Ray Finger on Twitter @SGRayFinger.